By Kopano Dibakwane
Dr Nandipha Magudumana and her co-accused, Senohe Matsoara, Motenyani Masukela and James Dipholo will spend yet another week in custody after a successful submission by the state prosecutor, Sello Matlhoko, to postpone their bail application hearing to 11 and 12 May.
Magudumana appeared today at the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court alongside newly accused number 7 and 8 (Tieho Makhotsa and Natassja Jansen), in the Thabo Bester prison escape saga. Makhotsa and Jansen are former G4S control room operators at the Mangaung correctional centre. They were arrested on Monday.
In his submission, Matlhoko said that the state was ready to proceed with bail application, but the addition of Makhotsa and Jansen in the matter, calls for the postponement.
” We have reached an agreement (with the rest of the defence attorneys) for the postponement of the matter to afford the state an opportunity to gather bail information in respect of accused number 7 and 8.” said Matlhoko.
The defence attorneys for all the accused were not in favour of the postponement. They collectively submitted that bail is an urgent matter and that further delays are prejudicial towards their clients. However, the magistrate, Matloholo Khabisi, ruled in favour of the state and concluded that the six accused remain in custody until their next court appearance.
